Category Archives: Food & Drink

The Best Dogzzz

D’s SixPax & Dogz (Regent Square) — I started going there last year at first for the beer (they have everything you could ever imagine). As I got drunk, I got hungry, ordered the world’s best cheese fries and one thing led to another. I know I’m a bad Hindu for what I’m about to say…but there is NOTHING that beats the succulence of a vienna all-BEEF hot dog (chicago style complete with neon green relish)! It is truly worth dying several times for.

More than that, D’s is my home away from home. When friends come to visit, I take them there. When I’m in a good/bad mood, it’s my favorite escape. I’ve even done my homework there. Sometimes, I go just to chat it up with no one in particular. The bartenders/line cooks are freaking cool and Dino (the owner) is quite possibly my favorite public figure in PGH. They are going to expand this month, so here will be more room to mingle. Go there, get your card stamped & keep them busy!

Sandwiches at Il Padrino

I absolutely had to add a post regarding my Brookline neighborhood. I love that it still has a city neighborhood feel to it. People that grew up there still know each other and their families. It’s great!

Adding to its uniqueness is a fabulous new eatery, Il Padrino. On Brookline Blvd., there are many pizza places, drug stores, bars, that you can find a quick snack. None of them come close to Il Padrino.

This deli has more sandwiches than you can imagine. Gyro? Yes. Cheesesteak (with real steak)? Yes. Chicken Wrap? Yes. Club sandwich? Yes. Anything! Chalkboards full of options. And every sandwich comes with chips and a pickle. Mmmmm.

No only are these great creations affordable, they are huge! They use all quality ingredients (I believe Boars Head) and you can buy them to take home from their deli case. The soups are spectacular, too.

The only thing is, this is a deli. They have 4 bar stools to grab a quick bite, but most of the business is take out. But you don’t even have to go there to get a delicious sandwich – they deliver!

It’s a great addition to the Boulevard.

Bar Art

About a month ago the City Paper profiled Duncan Prahl – by day he works at a green building company, at night he can be found at local watering holes (often Kelly’s) setting up arrangements of plastic toys. Check out his website BarAnimals.com
to see some of his arrangements.
Click here to see the City Paper interview with Duncan – http://www.pittsburghcitypaper.ws/archive.cfm?type=Local%20Vocal&action=getComplete&ref=5012

Pierogi Madness

Compact, tasty, and filling, pierogies are perfect food for a Polish girl on the go. That’s why they’re my FAVORITE! While I prefer making them at home, I do occasionally have to buy them.

For out-of-towners who have stumbled upon this page:

pie·ro·gi also pi·ro·gi n. : A semicircular dumpling with any of various fillings, such as finely chopped meat or vegetables, that is often sautéed after being boiled.

There are a couple of places I like to buy them in bulk in the ‘burgh:

First up is Pierogies Plus owned by Helen Mannarino, located in a former gas station in McKees Rocks, and staffed by the sweetest Ukrainian and Polish ladies and gents. Second up is Clara’s Pierogies, which is owned by Kathy Davis (daughter of Clara!) The business started out as a catering company and is now located in the South Hills on Route 51.

Both Pierogies Plus and Clara’s have similar menus, offering some crazy fillings like apricot and jalapeno, while staying close to traditional favorites the kraut, potato, and cheese. They also offer kielbasa, potato pancakes, and other fixin’s.

Helpful hints: you can print out coupons from both websites. And and now you can order from Pierogies Plus online! And DEAR GOD, Helen can even show you how to Make Your Own Pierogies on DVD. (Best PGH-esque stocking stuffer EVER Award.) Someone please take away my credit card.

Any other places to stock up on pierogi? Let us know.

Homemade Caribbean Food

If you are looking for some homemade jerk chicken, shrimp curry, and oxtail stew, look no further than Irieites Afro-Caribbean Restaurant on Brownsville Road in Mt. Oliver. Last week, the IheartPGH team feasted on some of the delicacies above, as well as some greens and rice’n’beans, and it was deeeelicious.

It’s a short drive or bus ride from the South Side – to get there, follow 18th Street up past the Slopes. Eighteenth turns into Brownsville Road. We couldn’t find an address, but it’s around the 100 or 200 block of Brownsville, located across the street from the Mt. Oliver Post Office. The phone number is 412 431 5027 in case you get lost.

The decor will make you smile (think plastic doilies and random framed photos of cape cod), and the food is cheap and sure to fill your belly.